Pick the best answer or answers based on Parliamentary Opinions II. If there are check boxes, there may be more than one answer.

1. A society has repeatedly found it impossible to attain a quorum. What can the society do rather than abolish itself?

   1.   ?    Amend the bylaws by having both the membership present and a mail ballot vote on the change.
   2.   ?    The only thing that can be done is dissolve the organization.
   3.   ?    At a regular meeting the bylaws should be changed even though there is no quorum.
   4.   ?    The bylaws can always be amended by a mail ballot.

2. What is meant is the required vote is "a majority vote of the ..."?

   1.   ?    A majority of the votes cast.
   2.   ?    A majority of the possible voters.
   3.   ?    A majority of those entitled to vote and present.
   4.   ?    The assembly needs to decide what is meant.

3. What is a "simple majority"?

   1.   ?    Nobody knows so this term should not be used.
   2.   ?    More than half.
   3.   ?    Fifty-one percent of the vote.
   4.   ?    A plurality.

4. What is an "absolute majority" in parliamentary terms?

   1. Most likely, a majority of the members in a class.
   2. A majority of the members in a class who vote.
   3. The assembly has to decide on the meaning.
   4. Fifty-one percent.
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5. What is meant by "a majority of the members present"?

   1. A majority is based on the members who are at the meeting and not on only those voting.
   2. An abstention is effectively a no vote.
   3. It is an easy way to get a majority vote.
   4. This is just a regular majority.
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6. What are the disadvantages of requiring a majority of the members present?

   1. You must count the number of members present each time you vote.
   2. An abstention has the same effect as a no vote.
   3. It means that the negative side of an issue has an unfair advantage.
   4. A majority is easier to obtain.
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7. The bylaws require that an issue be decided by a majority of the members present. Does the negative vote have to be taken?

   1. No, if the vote is by a serpentine vote.
   2. Yes, if the vote is by ballot or roll call.
   3. Yes, no matter how the vote is taken.
   4. No, as long as the chair knows the number of members present.
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8. The vote required is a majority of the members present. The chair decides not to take the negative vote. A member objects and wants the negative taken. What should the chair do?

   1.   ?    Even though it is not required, it should be taken.
   2.   ?    The chair should not take the vote.
   3.   ?    The chair should take the vote only if it will not take much time.
   4.   ?    The negative vote cannot be taken.

9. A two-thirds vote is required according to the bylaws. What is meant by two-thirds?

   1.   ?    The affirmative vote must be at least twice the negative vote.
   2.   ?    The affirmative vote must be twice the negative vote and the abstentions.
   3.   ?    At least two-thirds of the members must vote.
   4.   ?    At least two-thirds of the members present must vote.

10. The voting requirement in the bylaws is 51 percent. The vote is 101 to 100. Does the measure pass?

    1.   ?    No. This is less than 51%.
    2.   ?    Yes. The bylaw can be taken to mean a majority vote and this is a majority vote.
    3.   ?    The assembly will have to interpret what is meant by the bylaw. The issue may have passed.
    4.   ?    Yes. The percentage is rounded up to the next full percentage. Thus the 51% level is reached.

11. The bylaws require a four-fifths vote of the board for suspension. What is meant by that?

    1.   ?    Four-fifths of those voting is necessary.
    2.   ?    Four-fifths of those present must vote in favor.
    3.   ?    Four-fifths of the entire membership of the board must vote for it.
    4.   ?    Four-fifths of the members of the board must vote.

12. What happens when there is a tie vote?

    1.   ?    The motion is lost.
    2.   ?    The motion passes.
    3.   ?    There is a revote until the motion either clearly passes or fails.
    4.   ?    The chair is required to vote to break the tie.

13. The bylaws state that the president may vote only to make or break a tie. When may the president vote?

    1. When there are five for and five against a motion.
    2. When six vote for a measure and five vote against it.
    3. When a measure needs a two-thirds vote and the vote is six for it and three against.
    4. When a measure needs a two-thirds vote and the vote is five for it and three against.
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14. The bylaws state that the president may vote to break a tie. Can the president vote to create a tie?

    1.   ?    No. The bylaws are specific.
    2.   ?    Yes. The president cannot lose his right to vote.
    3.   ?    No. The president can never vote.
    4.   ?    Yes. Voting to make a tie is the same as voting to break one.

15. An organization hires an outside chair. There is no special provisions in the bylaws about the rights of this non-member. If there is a tie vote, can the president vote to break the tie?

    1.   ?    No. Non-members can only vote if the bylaws say they can.
    2.   ?    No. The president is never allowed to vote as this shows a preference.
    3.   ?    Yes. This is one of the duties of the president.
    4.   ?    Yes. By being president, the person has become a member of the organization.

16. If there is a tie in the US Senate, can the Vice President vote in the negative?

    1.   ?    Yes. The US Constitution provides that the Vice President can vote whenever the Senate is tied.
    2.   ?    No. The Vice President can only vote to break the tie by voting in the affirmative.
    3.   ?    No. The Vice President may never vote.
    4.   ?    Yes. The Vice President can also vote to create a tie.

17. In most assemblies, what is the voting rights of the presiding officer if a member?

    1.   ?    They are the same as any other member but normally are not exercised unless they make a difference or the vote is by ballot or roll call.
    2.   ?    They are altered by holding the office. The vote can only be exercised if there is a tie.
    3.   ?    They are altered. They can only be exercised if there is a ballot or roll call vote.
    4.   ?    The rights are the same and are exercised in the same way as not being a presiding officer.

18. What is the correct order for taking a vote?

    1.   ?    The affirmative vote and then the negative vote.
    2.   ?    The affirmative vote, the negative vote, and the abstentions.
    3.   ?    The negative vote and then the affirmative vote.
    4.   ?    The negative vote, the affirmative vote, and then the abstentions.

19. If the vote is by a show of hands and abstentions are called for, what can a member who wishes to abstain do?

    1.   ?    The member can refuse to indicate that he is abstaining.
    2.   ?    Every member must raise their hand for one of the choices.
    3.   ?    If the member wishes to abstain, he must indicate so.
    4.   ?    No member can indicate that he is abstaining.

20. When can a member no longer change their vote on a counted vote under RONR?

    1.   ?    When the chair says the motion is adopted or lost.
    2.   ?    Once the chair has begun to give the count.
    3.   ?    Once the chair begins to speak.
    4.   ?    Until the chair starts the next item of business.